Playing binaural sound clips during an electronic communication

ABSTRACT

A method plays sound clips in binaural sound to users during an electronic communication between two or more users. A processor convolves the sound clips with HRTFs so the sound externally localize away from a head of the user listening to the sound clip. The sound clips play to users during the electronic communication without transmitting the sound clips to electronic devices of the users.

BACKGROUND

Three-dimensional (3D) sound localization offers people a wealth of newtechnological avenues to not merely communicate with each other but alsoto communicate with electronic devices, software programs, andprocesses.

As this technology develops, challenges will arise with regard to howsound localization integrates into the modern era. Example embodimentsoffer solutions to some of these challenges and assist in providingtechnological advancements in methods and apparatus using 3D soundlocalization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a method to play sound clips in binaural sound during anelectronic communication between users in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a method to play sound clips in binaural sound at electronicdevices without transmitting the sound clips to the electronic devicesin accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a method to provide sound clips and identifications of thesound clips to users in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a method to determine whether to convolve a sound clip withcustomized or generic HRTFs in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a method to change or replace a sound clip convolved withHRTFs for a user intended to listen to the sound clip in accordance withan example embodiment.

FIG. 6A is an electronic device with a display that displays sound clipsin binaural sound during an electronic communication between two usersin accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 6B is the electronic device and display of FIG. 6A in which a usersends a sound clip in binaural sound to another user during theelectronic communication in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a lookup table showing sound clips and unique identificationsof the sound clips in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a lookup table showing sound clips and sound localizationinformation (SLI) being stored and associated with the sound clips inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a computer system in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an electronic device in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment is a method or apparatus that plays sound clipsin binaural sound during an electronic communication between two or moreusers. A processor convolves the sound clips with HRTFs, and the soundexternally localize away from a head of the user listening to the soundclip.

One example embodiment plays sound clips to users during the electroniccommunication without transmitting the sound clips to electronic devicesof the users listening to the sound clips.

One example embodiment replaces or changes a sound clip convolved withgeneric HRTFs with the sound clip convolved with customized HRTFs to theuser listening to the sound clip.

Other example embodiments are discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to provide effective three-dimensional (3D) sound or binauralsound to a listener, the sound must be convolved with head-relatedtransfer functions (HRTFs). This requirement to process the sound withHRTFs can be problematic, especially when two users are exchanging soundfiles or sound clips during an electronic communication.

Consider an example in which two users are communicating with amessaging application or telephony application, and the first user wantsto send the second user a sound clip in binaural sound. The first user,however, may not have the HRTFs individualized or customized to thesecond user and hence is not able to send the sound clip convolved withcorrect HRTFs. If the first user sends the sound clip convolved withgeneral or generic HRTFs, then the second user may not correctlylocalize the sound in the sound clip. For example, the sound mayexternally localize to the wrong location or not externally localize atall.

Additionally, even if the second user can correctly localize the soundwhen the sound clip is convolved with general HRTFs, wirelesslytransmitting the sound clip over a network can be time-consuming andrequire large bandwidth, especially if the sound clip is a large file.During the electronic communication, both users have to wait while thesound clip downloads to the electronic device of the second user andthen wait again while the sound clip is convolved with the HRTFs. If thesound clip is convolved into binaural sound during the electroniccommunication, then this process is time-consuming and uses resources ofa computer processor.

Example embodiments solve these problems and others by providing methodsand apparatus that enable users to quickly provide binaural sound toeach other during an electronic communication. Example embodimentsrequire less processing resources than conventional techniques andenable sound clips to play more expeditiously during an electroniccommunication between two or more users.

One example embodiment convolves sound clips with HRTFs before anelectronic communication commences between two or more users. During asubsequent electronic communication between the users, the sound clipscan be immediately played to the users without requiring convolutionsince they were previously convolved. As such, processing resources(such as those of a digital signal processor or DSP) are not required toconvolve the sound clips with HRTFs during the electronic communication.This process enables sound clips to be played in real-time between theusers.

In a conventional electronic communication, sound clips are exchangedbetween electronic devices of users over a network. For example, if afirst user wants to play a sound clip to a second user while the twousers message or talk, then the first user transmits the sound clip tothe electronic device of the second user. This transmission often occursover a wireless network, such as the internet or a cellular network. Theelectronic device of the second user receives the sound clip, downloadsit, and plays it to the second user. This process is time-consuming andutilizes much processing resources. For example, if the internetconnection is slow, then the users have to wait while the sound clipuploads from the first electronic device and downloads to the secondelectronic device. As such, users are not able to interact with eachother in real-time as they wait for the sound clips to be transmittedover the network, uploaded from one electronic device, and downloaded toanother electronic device.

Example embodiments solve these problems and enable users to play soundclips to each other in real-time during an electronic communicationwithout exchanging the sound clips during the electronic communication.In order to expedite playing of sound clips in binaural sound during anelectronic communication, the electronic devices exchange uniqueidentifications that identify the sound clips that are already stored onthe electronic devices. The sound clips themselves are not required tobe exchanged (e.g., not required to be transmitted from the electronicdevice of the first user to the electronic device of the second userwhile the two users chat or talk to each other). Each uniqueidentification identifies a sound clip to be played. Theseidentifications are much smaller in size than the actual sound clips andhence can be transmitted and processed quickly over a network to enablereal-time playing of the sound clips. When an electronic device receivesthe unique identification, the corresponding sound clip is retrievedfrom memory and played to the user. This sound clip may already beconvolved with the HRTFs of the user and hence enable immediate playbackto the user receiving the unique identification. Uploading,transmitting, downloading, and convolving of the sound clip are avoided.This significantly increases execution of playing sound clips during theelectronic communication.

One example embodiment displays sound clips to the users while the userscommunicate with each other. During the electronic communication, a usercan quickly select a sound clip in binaural sound that instantly playsto the other user. The sound clips, for example, display as icons,emoji, emoticons, other graphical representations, text, word(s), orother indicia. When the user selects or activates one of therepresentations, the sound clip associated with or corresponding to thisrepresentation immediately plays as binaural sound at the electronicdevice of the other user without requiring transmission of the selectedsound clip.

When the sound clip plays, sound externally localizes to the listener asthree-dimensional (3D) sound or binaural sound. The listener hears thesound as originating outside of or away from the head of the listener,such as emanating in empty space (e.g., where no physical object islocated) or at an object proximate to the listener.

Another problem is that a computer system or electronic device does notknow whether to convolve a sound clip or not. Even if the sound clip isto be convolved, what or whose HRTFs (if any) should be used?

Example embodiments solve this problem as well. The computer system orelectronic devices stores or tracks information about a sound clip inorder to determine how to convolve the sound clip. For example, thisinformation includes determining a format of the sound clip (e.g., mono,stereo, or binaural), determining if customized or generic HRTFs of thelistener are available, and determining if the sound clip is alreadyconvolved with generic or customized HRTFs.

Another problem is that sound clips in binaural sound convolved for oneuser may not correctly localize for another user. Consider an example inwhich user A has sound clips in binaural sound that were convolved withcustomized HRTFs for user A. User B has sound clips in binaural soundthat were convolved with customized HRTFs for user B. During anelectronic communication between users A and B, user A sends user B asound clip to be played. When user B hears the sound clip, however, thesound does not externally localize but internally localizes inside hishead. Alternatively, the sound externally localizes to an unintendedlocation, such as localizing behind the head of user B when the soundwas intended to localize in front of the head of user B. The sound clipwill not correctly localize to user B because the sound was convolvedwith HRTFs that are specific to the shape of the head and ears of UserA. Likewise, when user B sends sound clips to user A, they do notcorrectly localize to user A because the sound clips were convolved foruser B not for user A.

Example embodiments solve this problem. Example embodiments play soundclips convolved with HRTFs for the specific user intended to hear thesound clip. For example, when user A sends user B a sound clip convolvedwith customized HRTFs of user A, the example embodiment does not playthis sound clip to user B. Instead, the example embodiment retrieves andplays the sound clip convolved with the HRTFs of user B. For example,the sound clip that user A sends is replaced or exchanged with a soundclip convolved for user B. Both sound clips play the same sound (e.g.,both play the same message), but the sound clip provided to user Blocalizes to the correct or intended external locations.

In an example embodiment, user A does not actually send the sound clipbut sends an identification of the sound clip. This identificationenables an example embodiment to retrieve and play the intended soundclip to user B. This sound clip for user B was already convolved withthe correct HRTF pairs before user A selected and requested the soundclip to be played to user B. In another example embodiment, the soundclip is convolved in real-time when user A selects and requests thesound clip to be played to user B.

FIG. 1 is a method to play sound clips in binaural sound during anelectronic communication between users in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

Block 100 states generate sound clips to provide in an electroniccommunication.

By way of example, a computer or electronic device generates the soundclips (computer-generated sound), or microphones capture the sound forthe sound clips. For instance, one or more microphones capture the soundas mono sound, stereo sound, or binaural sound.

Consider an example in which microphones record a voice of a personwhile the person is in a sound studio or recording room. As anotherexample, microphones positioned in ears of a dummy head record thesound. As another example, a computer program or software programgenerates the sounds.

The sound clips are stored in and obtained from memory of an electronicdevice (such as a computer or server) and/or transmitted or streamedover one or more networks.

Block 110 states process or convolve the sound clips into binauralsound.

For example, a processor (such as a DSP) processes or convolves thesound with one or more of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs),head-related impulse responses (HRIRs), room impulse responses (RIRs),room transfer functions (RTFs), binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs),binaural room transfer functions (BRTFS), interaural time delays (ITDs),interaural level differences (ITDs), and a sound impulse response.

One example embodiment processes or convolves the sound clips with theHRTFs before the electronic communication commences or before a point intime when the sound clips are requested for play during the electroniccommunication.

Another example embodiment processes or convolves the sound clips duringthe electronic communication or at a point in time when the sound clipsare requested for play in the electronic communication.

Sound includes, but is not limited to, one or more of stereo sound, monosound, binaural sound, computer-generated sound, sound captured withmicrophones, and other sound. Furthermore, sound includes differenttypes including, but not limited to, music, background sound orbackground noise, human voice, computer-generated voice, and othernaturally occurring or computer-generated sound.

When the sound is recorded or generated in mono sound or stereo sound,convolution changes the sound to binaural sound. For example, one ormore microphones record a human person speaking in mono sound or stereosound, and a processor processes this sound with filters to change thesound into binaural sound.

The processor or sound hardware processing or convolving the sound canbe located in one or more electronic devices or computers including, butnot limited to, headphones, smartphones, tablet computers, electronicspeakers, head mounted displays (HMDs), optical head mounted displays(OHMDs), electronic glasses (e.g., glasses that provide augmentedreality (AR)), servers, portable electronic devices (PEDs), handheldportable electronic devices (HPEDs), wearable electronic devices (WEDs),and other portable and non-portable electronic devices. These electronicdevices can also be used to execute example embodiments.

For example, the DSP processes or convolves stereo sound or mono soundwith a process known as binaural synthesis or binaural processing toprovide the sound with sound localization cues (ILD, ITD, and/or HRTFs)so the listener externally localizes the sound as binaural sound or 3Dsound.

HRTFs can be obtained from actual measurements (e.g., measuring HRIRsand/or BRIRs on a dummy head or human head) or from computationalmodeling. HRTFs can also be general HRTFs (also known as generic HRTFs)or customized HRTFs (also known as individualized HRTFs). CustomizedHRTFs are specific to an anatomy of a particular listener. Each personhas unique sets or pairs of customized HRTFs based on the shape of theears or pinnae, head, and torso.

An example embodiment models the HRTFs with one or more filters, such asa digital filter, a finite impulse response (FIR) filter, an infiniteimpulse response (IIR) filter, etc. Further, an ITD can be modeled as aseparate delay line.

When the binaural sound is not captured (e.g., on a dummy head or humanhead), the captured sound is convolved with sound localizationinformation (SLI). This information includes one or more of HRTFs,HRIRs, BRTFs, BRIRs, ILDs, ITDs, and/or other information discussedherein. By way of example, SLI are retrieved, obtained, or received frommemory, a database, a file, an electronic device (such as a server,cloud-based storage, or another electronic device in the computer systemor in communication with a PED providing the sound to the user throughone or more networks), etc. Instead of being retrieved from memory, thisinformation can also be calculated in real-time.

A central processing unit (CPU), processor (such as a DSP), ormicroprocessor processes and/or convolves the sound with the SLI, suchas a pair of head related transfer functions (HRTFs), ITDs, and/or ILDsso that the sound will localize to a zone, area, or sound localizationpoint (SLP). For example, the sound localizes to a specific point (e.g.,localizing to point (r, θ, ϕ)) or a general location or area (e.g.,localizing to far-field location (θ, ϕ) or near-field location (θ, ϕ)).As an example, a lookup table that stores a set of HRTF pairs includes afield/column that specifies the coordinates associated with each pair,and the coordinates indicate the location for the origination of thesound. These coordinates include a distance (r) or near-field orfar-field designation, an azimuth angle (θ), and/or an elevation angle(ϕ).

The complex and unique shape of the human pinnae transforms sound wavesthrough spectral modifications as the sound waves enter the ear. Thesespectral modifications are a function of the position of the source ofsound with respect to the ears along with the physical shape of thepinnae that together cause a unique set of modifications to the soundcalled head related transfer functions or HRTFs. A unique pair of HRTFs(one for the left ear and one for the right ear) can be modeled ormeasured for each position of the source of sound with respect to alistener as the customized HRTFs.

A HRTF is a function of frequency (f) and three spatial variables, byway of example (r, θ, ϕ) in a spherical coordinate system. Here, r isthe radial distance from a recording point where the sound is recordedor a distance from a listening point where the sound is heard to anorigination or generation point of the sound; θ (theta) is the azimuthangle between a forward-facing user at the recording or listening pointand the direction of the origination or generation point of the soundrelative to the user; and ϕ (phi) is the polar angle, elevation, orelevation angle between a forward-facing user at the recording orlistening point and the direction of the origination or generation pointof the sound relative to the user. By way of example, the value of (r)can be a distance (such as a numeric value) from an origin of sound to arecording point (e.g., when the sound is recorded with microphones) or adistance from a SLP to a head of a listener (e.g., when the sound isgenerated with a computer program or otherwise provided to a listener).

When the distance (r) is greater than or equal to about one meter (1 m)as measured from the capture point (e.g., the head of the person) to theorigination point of a sound, the sound attenuates inversely with thedistance. One meter or thereabout defines a practical boundary betweennear-field and far-field distances and corresponding HRTFs. A“near-field” distance is one measured at about one meter or less;whereas a “far-field” distance is one measured at about one meter ormore. Example embodiments are implemented with near-field and far-fielddistances.

The coordinates for external sound localization can be calculated orestimated from an interaural time difference (ITD) of the sound betweentwo ears. ITD is related to the azimuth angle according to, for example,the Woodworth model that provides a frequency independent ray tracingmethodology. The coordinates (r, θ, ϕ) for external sound localizationcan also be calculated from a measurement of an orientation of and adistance to the face of the person when a head related impulse response(HRIR) is captured.

The coordinates can also be calculated or extracted from one or moreHRTF data files, for example by parsing known HRTF file formats, and/orHRTF file information. For example, HRTF data is stored as a set ofangles that are provided in a file or header of a file (or in anotherpredetermined or known location of a file or computer readable medium).The data can include one or more of time domain impulse responses (FIRfilter coefficients), filter feedback coefficients, and an ITD value.This information can also be referred to as “a” and “b” coefficients. Byway of example, these coefficients are stored or ordered according tolowest azimuth to highest azimuth for different elevation angles. TheHRTF file can also include other information, such as the sampling rate,the number of elevation angles, the number of HRTFs stored, ITDs, a listof the elevation and azimuth angles, a unique identification for theHRTF pair, and other information. The data can be arranged according toone or more standard or proprietary file formats, such as AES69, andextracted from the file.

The coordinates and other HRTF information are calculated or extractedfrom the HRTF data files. A unique set of HRTF information (including r,θ, ϕ) is determined for each unique HRTF.

The coordinates and other HRTF information are also stored in andretrieved from memory, such as storing the information in a look-uptable. The information is quickly retrieved to enable real-timeprocessing and convolving of sound using HRTFs and hence improvescomputer performance of execution of binaural sound.

The SLP represents a location where a person will perceive an origin ofthe sound. For an external localization, the SLP is away from the person(e.g., the SLP is away from but proximate to the person or away from butnot proximate to the person). The SLP can also be located inside thehead of the person (e.g., when the sound is provided as mono sound orstereo sound). Sound can also switch between externally localizing andinternally localizing, such as appearing to move and pass through a headof a listener.

SLI can also be approximated or interpolated based on known data orknown SLI, such as SLI for other coordinate locations. For example, aSLP is desired to localize at coordinate location (2.0 m, 0°, 40°), butHRTFs for the location are not known. HRTFs are known for twoneighboring locations, such as known for (2.0 m, 0°, 35°) and (2.0 m,0°, 45°), and the HRTFs for the desired location of (2.0 m, 0°, 40°) areapproximated from the two known locations. These approximated HRTFs areprovided to convolve sound to localize at the desired coordinatelocation (2.0 m, 0°, 40°).

Sound is convolved either directly in the time domain with a finiteimpulse response (FIR) filter or with a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT).For example, an electronic device convolves the sound to one or moreSLPs using a set of HRTFs, HRIRs, BRIRs, or RIRs and provides the personwith binaural sound.

In an example embodiment, convolution involves an audio input signal andone or more impulse responses of a sound originating from variouspositions with respect to the listener. The input signal is a limitedlength audio signal (such as a pre-recorded digital audio file or soundclip) or an ongoing audio signal (such as sound from a microphone orstreaming audio over the Internet from a continuous source). The impulseresponses are a set of HRIRs, BRIRs, RIRs, etc.

Convolution applies one or more FIR filters to the input signals andconvolves the input signals into binaural audio output or binauralstereo tracks. For example, the input signals are convolved intobinaural audio output that is specific or individualized for thelistener based on one or more of the impulse responses to the listener.

The FIR filters are derived binaural impulse responses. Alternatively oradditionally, the FIR filters are obtained from another source, such asgenerated from a computer simulation or estimation, generated from adummy head, retrieved from storage, computed based on known impulseresponses captured from people, etc. Further, convolution of an inputsignal into binaural output can include sound with one or more ofreverberation, single echoes, frequency coloring, and spatialimpression.

Processing of the sound also includes calculating and/or adjusting aninteraural time difference (ITD), an interaural level difference (ILD),and/or other aspects of the sound in order to alter the cues andartificially alter the point of localization. Consider an example inwhich the ITD is calculated for a location (θ, ϕ) with discrete Fouriertransforms (DFTs) calculated for the left and right ears. The ITD islocated at the point for which the function attains its maximum value,known as the argument of the maximum or arg max as follows:

${ITD} = {\arg\mspace{11mu}{\max(\tau)}{\sum\limits_{n}{{d_{l,\theta,\phi}(n)} \cdot {{d_{r,\theta,\phi}\left( {n + \tau} \right)}.}}}}$

Subsequent sounds are filtered with the left HRTF, right HRTF, and/orITD so that the sound localizes at (r, θ, ϕ). Such sounds includefiltering stereo and monaural sound to localize at (r, θ, ϕ). Forexample, given an input signal as a monaural sound signal s(n), thissound is convolved to appear at (θ, ϕ) when the left ear is presentedwith:s _(l)(n)=s(n−ITD)·d _(l,θ,ϕ)(n);and the right ear is presented with:s _(r)(n)=s(n)·d _(r,θ,ϕ)(n).

Consider an example in which a dedicated digital signal processor (DSP)executes frequency domain processing to generate real-time convolutionof monophonic sound to binaural sound.

By way of example, a continuous audio input signal x(t) is convolvedwith a linear filter of an impulse response h(t) to generate an outputsignal y(t) as follows:

${y(\tau)} = {{{x(\tau)} \cdot {h(\tau)}} = {\underset{0}{\int\limits^{\infty}}{{x\left( {\tau - t} \right)} \cdot {h(t)} \cdot {{dt}.}}}}$

This reduces to a summation when the impulse response has a given lengthN and the input signal and the impulse response are sampled at t=iDt asfollows:

${y(i)} = {\sum\limits_{j = 0}^{N - 1}{{x\left( {i - j} \right)} \cdot {{h(j)}.}}}$

Execution time of convolution further reduces with a Fast FourierTransform (FFT) algorithm and/or Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT)algorithm.

Consider another example of binaural synthesis in which recorded orsynthesized sound is filtered with a binaural impulse response (e.g.,HRIR or BRIR) to generate a binaural output sound to the person. Theinput sound is preprocessed to generate left and right audio streamsthat are mapped to one or more sound sources or sound localizationpoints (known as SLPs). These streams are convolved with a binauralimpulse response for the left ear and the right ear to generate the leftand right binaural output sound signal. The output sound signal isfurther processed depending on a final destination. For example, across-talk cancellation algorithm is applied to the output sound signalwhen it will be provided through loudspeakers or applying artificialbinaural reverberation to provide 3D spatial context to the sound.

Block 120 states store the convolved sound clips in memory of one ormore electronic devices.

For example, the sound clips are stored in memory of an HPED, PED, WED,server, or other electronic device discussed herein. Further, the soundclips can be stored before the electronic communication commences orbefore the sound clips are requested to be played. Additionally, thesound clips can be transmitted over one or more networks, such astransmitting them to a database, server, HPED, or other electronicdevices during or before the electronic communication.

Consider an example in which the sound clips are convolved with HRTFsand then stored in the electronic devices of the users (e.g.,smartphones, WEDs, and HMDs). In this way, the sound clips are alreadyprocessed and ready to be played as binaural sound immediately uponrequest.

Block 130 states commence an electronic communication where the soundclips will be played to one or more users.

Example embodiments include, but are not limited to, providing sound orvoice from sound clips to one or more listeners that are engaged invarious forms of electronic communication, such as software applicationsthat enable users to talk in a telephone call or telephony call, chat,text, or message each other, send and receive voice messages, and speakto or with a human, computer, or software program (such as anintelligent user agent (IUA) or intelligent personal assistant (IPA)).Furthermore, the electronic communication can occur at differentlocations, such as two or more people meeting in a VR chat room or chatspace, talking or messaging with AR images in a Vo IP call, etc.

Example embodiment can occur during execution of a telephone call. Atelephone call is a connection over a wired and/or wireless networkbetween a calling person or user and a called person or user. Telephonecalls use landlines, mobile phones, satellite phones, HPEDs, WEDs, voicepersonal assistants (VPAs), computers, and other portable andnon-portable electronic devices. Further, telephone calls are placedthrough one or more of a public switched telephone network, theinternet, and various types of networks (such as Wide Area Networks orWANs, Local Area Networks or LANs, Personal Area Networks or PANs,Campus Area Networks or CANs, private or public ad-hoc mesh networks,etc.). Telephone calls include other types of telephony including Voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls, internet telephone calls, in-gamecalls, voice chat or channels, telepresence, etc.

Consider an example in which two or more users chat or text with asoftware messaging application or mobile application and exchange soundclips already convolved into binaural sound. As another example, usersexchange these sound clips while meeting in a virtual chat room ortalking to each other while wearing a HMD, electronic glasses, oranother electronic device that provides VR or AR images during theelectronic communication.

Block 140 states play the processed or convolved sound to the user withspeakers so the sound externally localizes as the binaural sound awayfrom the head of the user.

Binaural sound is provided to the listener through one or moreelectronic devices including, but not limited to, one or more of boneconduction headphones, speakers of a wearable electronic device (e.g.,headphones, earphones, electronic glasses, earbuds, head mounteddisplay, smartphone, etc.). Binaural sound can be processed forcrosstalk cancellation and provided through other types of speakers(e.g., dipole stereo speakers).

For example, two speakers are in or on an electronic device that thelistener wears, such as headphones, HMD, electronic glasses, smartphone,or another WED, PED, or HPED. Alternatively, the speakers are not withor worn on the listener, such as being two or more separate speakersthat provide binaural sound to a sweet spot using cross-talkcancellation.

From the point-of-view of the listener, the sound originates or emanatesfrom the object, point, area, or location that corresponds with the SLP.When binaural sound is provided to the listener, the listener will hearthe sound as if it originates from the sound source. The sound, however,does not originate from the sound source since the sound source may bean inanimate object with no electronics or an animate object with noelectronics. Alternatively, the sound source has electronics but doesnot have the capability to generate sound (e.g., the sound source has nospeakers or sound system). As yet another example, the sound source hasspeakers and the ability to provide sound but is not providing sound tothe listener. In each of these examples, the listener perceives thesound to originate from the sound source, but the sound source does notproduce the sound. Instead, the sound is altered or convolved andprovided to the listener so the sound appears to originate from thesound source.

In an example embodiment, at least a portion of the sound clipexternally localizes away from the head of the listener in empty spaceor occupied space (e.g., where no physical or tangible object exists).For example, the sound externally localizes proximate or near thelistener, such as localizing within a few meters of the listener. Forinstance, the sound localization point (SLP) where the listenerlocalizes the sound is stationary or fixed in space (e.g., fixed inspace with respect to the user, fixed in space with respect to an objectin a room, fixed in space with respect to an electronic device, fixed inspace with respect to another object or person).

FIG. 2 is a method to play sound clips in binaural sound at electronicdevices without transmitting the sound clips to the electronic devicesin accordance with an example embodiment.

Block 200 states receive, during an electronic communication between afirst user with a first electronic device and a second user with asecond electronic device, a request from the first user at the firstelectronic device to play a sound clip in binaural sound at the secondelectronic device of the second user.

The first user interacts with the first electronic device to generatethe request. For example, the first user interacts with a user interfaceand provides a command or instruction to play the sound clip in binauralsound to the second user. For instance, the first user performs one ormore actions that include, but are not limited to, clicking oractivating an icon, emoji, graphical representation, or other indiciathat represents the sound clip or represents sending the sound clip,selecting the sound clip from a menu (such as a dropdown menu),selecting the sound clip from a folder or file (such as a folder or filebeing displayed to the first user), providing a body gesture (such as ahand gesture or hand movement indicating a desire to play the soundclip), providing head movement or eye movement (such as the first usermoving his or her head in a certain direction or pattern to indicateselection of the sound clip), providing a voice command (such as thefirst user speaking an instruction at a natural language userinterface), or taking another action to have the sound clip played tothe second user.

Block 210 states determine, during the electronic communication and inresponse to the request, an identification associated with the soundclip.

In an example embodiment, each sound clip includes, corresponds with, oris associated with an identification. For instance, each sound clip hasa unique identification number or unique feature that enables it to bedistinguished from other sound clips.

Consider an example in which each sound clip is associated with a uniqueidentifier. The unique identifiers are stored in memory, such as alookup table or other format. An example embodiment retrieves the uniqueidentifier from memory when the first user activates the sound clip orotherwise requests the sound clip be played to the second user.

Consider an example in which the electronic device displays graphicalrepresentations (e.g., icons, emoji, or emoticons) to the first user.When the user clicks, selects, or activates one of the graphical icons,this action triggers execution of a program, code, or softwareinstruction to retrieve a unique identification of the sound clipassociated with the graphical representation. As another example, thegraphical representation itself includes code, instructions, or acommand that provides or generates the identification. For example, eachgraphical representation is designated or coded with a unique identifierthat enables the computer system to distinguish between the differentgraphical representations and know which one is being selected by thefirst user.

Block 220 states transmit, during the electronic communication and inresponse to the request, the identification of the sound clip to thesecond electronic device without transmitting the sound clip to thesecond electronic device.

In an example embodiment, the first electronic device transmits theidentification to the second electronic device, such as transmitting theidentification over one or more wireless networks.

Consider an example in which the first user commands or instructs thesound clip to play to the second user during an electronic communicationbetween the first and second users. In response to this command orinstruction, the first electronic device transmits a unique identifierto the second electronic device with the second user. This uniqueidentifier identifies to the second electronic device which sound clipis being requested to be played.

In another example embodiment, a server or another electronic devicetransmits the identification to the second electronic device. Consideran example in which the first and second users talk or message eachother with a mobile software application. The application executes onthe electronic devices and one or more servers. When the first userclicks on a 3D sound emoji, this action causes one of the servers totransmit an identifier assigned to the 3D sound emoji to the secondelectronic device.

The identification transmits to the second electronic device but thistransmission is not required to include the actual sound clip or soundfile that will be played to the second user at the second electronicdevice. At this point in time, the sound clip is not transmitted to thesecond electronic device. The second electronic device already includesthe sound clip, and hence transmission of the sound clip is notnecessary. For example, the second electronic device stores the soundclip in memory before the first user made the request at the firstelectronic device to play the sound clip at the second electronicdevice.

As another example, a server or another electronic device provides thesound clip to the second electronic device in anticipation of therequest. Before the first user makes the actual request to play thesound clip to the second user, the second electronic device receives thesound clip from a server or memory. For instance, sound clips aredownloaded to or streamed to the second electronic device when the firstand second users commence the electronic communication but before theactual request from the first user. As another example, one or moresound clips are downloaded to the second electronic device based on userpreferences or historic usage. For instance, the first user has ahistory of sending a particular sound clip to the second user (or otherusers). In response to this pattern of previous usage, the secondelectronic device receives this particular sound clip in anticipation ofbeing requested.

Block 230 states receive, during the electronic communication, theidentification at the second electronic device.

The second electronic device receives the identification via a wired orwireless interface. For instance, the second electronic device includesa wireless transmitter/receiver that receives the identification overthe internet or other wireless network.

Block 240 states determine, during the electronic communication andbased on the received identification, the sound clip requested by thefirst user to be played to the second user at the second electronicdevice.

The second electronic device, server, or another electronic devicedetermines (based on the identification) the sound clip desired to beplayed to the second user at the second electronic device. By way ofexample and as noted above, the identification corresponds with or isassociated with a sound clip, such as a sound clip stored in memory ofthe second electronic device. The example embodiment retrieves the soundclip based on or assigned to the identification.

Consider the example in which each sound clip is associated with aunique identifier. The unique identifiers are stored in memory, such asa table or lookup table. The second electronic device compares theunique identifier with a list of unique identifiers that each correspondto a sound clip. When a match between identifiers occurs, the secondelectronic device selects the sound clip corresponding to or associatedwith the matched identifier.

Block 250 states play, during the electronic communication and at thesecond electronic device, the sound clip in binaural sound so the soundexternally localizes as the binaural sound away from the head of theuser.

The sound clip plays to the second user through one or more speakers andlocalizes as near-field or far-field binaural sound. By way of example,a source of the sound emanates from or originates from a SLP or areathat is in empty space, at a physical object, or at an image (such as aVR or AR image). For example, this location is proximate to the seconduser (e.g., within 1-3 meters from a head of the second user), less thanone meter away from the second user, one meter away from the seconduser, or greater than one meter away from the second user.

Consider an example in which the first user sends the second user asound clip in stereo or mono that when executed plays a famous quote orline from a feature length film or movie. The sound clip or transmissionof the sound clip includes an identification that specifies one or moreof: (1) an identification of the sound clip, (2) instructions that thesound clip should be convolved with HRTFs and/or played as binauralsound, (3) an identification of which HRTFs to select, and (4)coordinate locations of the SLP (e.g., spherical coordinate locations ofthe HRTFs that should be used to convolved the sound clip). Uponreceiving the sound clip, the electronic device of the second userretrieves customized HRTFs having the coordinates specified in thetransmission, convolves the sound clip with these customized HRTFs ofthe second user, and plays the sound clip to the second user. The soundclip executes as binaural sound, and the second user hears the voice ofthe speaking actor as if the actor where standing one meter away andspeaking to the second user.

FIG. 3 is a method to provide sound clips and identifications of thesound clips to users in accordance with an example embodiment.

Block 300 states provide an identification to a sound clip.

The identification enables the computer system or electronic device todistinguish one sound clip from another sound clip. For example, usersmay have access to ten sound clips, hundreds of sound clips, orthousands of sound clips. When a user activates, purchases, transmits,or performs another action with regard to the sound clip, one or moreunique identifications are used to identify the sound clip.

Sound clips can be identified in different ways. For example, thecomputer system assigns each sound clip with a unique identification,such as a unique serial number, identification number, unique identifier(UID), random number, name, or code. Further, each sound clip can havemore than one identification (e.g., having different UIDs for differentpurposes).

Block 310 states provide a graphical representation to the sound clip.

Graphical representations include, but are not limited to, pictures,images (including an AR image or a VR image), icons, emoji, emoticons,text, words, symbols, numbers, or other visible indicia.

In an example embodiment, the graphical representation visually informsthe user about the contents of the sound clip. The graphicalrepresentation provides information so the user knows in advance whatsound will play when the graphical representation is activated. Forexample, if the sound clip plays a 3D audio of a voice saying “Hello”then the graphical representation might include the word “Hello” or apicture (such as a waiving hand) to indicate the contents of the soundfile are a greeting.

Block 320 makes a determination whether another sound clip exists. Ifthe answer to this determination is “yes” then flow proceeds back toblock 300. If the answer to this determination is “no” then flowproceeds to block 330.

Block 330 states provide the sound clips, identifications, and graphicalrepresentations to users.

Users can purchase sound clips, send sound clips, play sound clips,transmit sound clips, exchange sound clips, and perform other actions.For example, electronic devices of users store the sound clips,identifications, and graphical representations and/or provide access tothis information. Further, the sound clips, identifications, andgraphical representations can be stored on and accessed through anetwork, such as storing the information in a database and providingaccess through a server.

Consider an example in which a company generates hundreds or thousandsof sound clips in binaural sound. Some of these sound clips are capturedin binaural sound, while others are captured in mono or stereo sound andthen convolved into binaural sound using HRTFs. The company providesthese sound clips to users so the users can play them to each other viaa mobile application on their HPEDs.

FIG. 4 is a method to determine whether to convolve a sound clip withcustomized or generic HRTFs in accordance with an example embodiment.

Block 400 states obtain a sound clip to play to a user during anelectronic communication.

For example, an electronic device receives the sound clip over awireless network, retrieves the sound clip from memory, or records thesound clip in real-time (e.g., records the sound clip with one or moremicrophones).

Block 410 makes a determination as to whether the sound clip needsconvolved.

A sound clip in mono sound or stereo sound is not in binaural sound andhence is convolved with a processor into binaural sound. Sound clips inbinaural sound can also be further processed or convolved (e.g., addingRIRs to a binaural sound clip).

If the answer to this determination in block 410 is “no” then flowproceeds to block 420.

Block 420 states play the sound clip in binaural sound to the user. Forexample, headphones, earbuds, or earphones play the sound to the user.

If the answer this determination in block 410 is “yes” then flowproceeds to block 430.

Block 430 makes a determination whether the computer system orelectronic device has access to customized HRTFs of the user.

Customized HRTFs may not be available for a user, or the user may keepsuch HRTFs private or unavailable. These HRTFs can be stored in localmemory (e.g., encrypted and stored in an HPED) or stored in memory on anetwork or cloud (e.g., stored in a server or database).

The computer system or electronic device can also store whethercustomized or generic HRTFs are available for each user. For example, agraphical or relational database stores user names (or useridentifications), customized HRTFs for each user if such HRTFs areavailable, and generic HRTFs for users or groups of users.

If the answer this determination in block 430 is “yes” then flowproceeds to block 440.

Block 440 states convolve the sound clip with customized HRTFs of theuser. For example, a processor (such as a DSP) convolves the sound withthe customized HRTFs.

If the answer this determination in block 430 is “no” then flow proceedsto block 450.

Block 450 states convolve the sound clip with generic HRTFs. Forexample, a processor (such as a DSP) convolves the sound with thegeneric HRTFs.

Customized HRTFs are particular or specific to the anatomy of the user.For example, such HRTFs are based on one or more of the shape and/orsize of the head, ear or pinnae, and torso since these factors influencehow sound impulses interact with a user before entering his or her earcanal. Sound convolved with these HRTFs provides the best or mostaccurate external sound localization to the user.

General or generic HRTFs work for a large number of people and are notspecific to a single individual. These HRTFs are typically derived fromcommon physical traits relating to the shape and/or size of the head,ear or pinnae, and torso of these people. These HRTFs are also derivedfrom computer models or computer programs.

Users can accurately localize binaural sound with generic HRTFs. In someinstances, however, sounds will not localize to the correct location ornot externally localize at all. By contrast, customized HRTFs provide auser with more accurate external localization. Hence, customized HRTFsare preferred over generic HRTFs when accuracy and consistency ofexternal sound localization are desired.

The computer system or electronic device can also store generic HRTFsfor classes or groups of users. For example, some generic HRTF pairswill externally localize sound more accurately for some users than otherusers. For instance, female Caucasian people are in one group andinclude a first set of HRTF pairs; male Caucasian people are in anothergroup and include a second set of HRTF pairs; female Asian people are inanother group and include a third set of HRTF pairs, etc. Such groupsand corresponding HRTFs can be based on different factors, such as race,gender, head size, head shape, ear size, ear shape, ethnicity, etc.

The convolved sound clip is played to the user, transmitted over one ormore networks, and/or stored in memory for subsequent use.

Information about or identification of a sound clip can be stored in thefile (such as a header or elsewhere), part of the file format, a tag, orstored as metadata. In this way, the computer system or electronicdevice knows what action to take with a sound file or a request for asound file. For example, while talking or chatting via a mobilemessaging application, an electronic device of user A sends a sound clipto an electronic device of user B. The electronic device of user Breceives the sound clip, detects it is in mono sound, determinescustomized HRTFs are stored in local memory for user B, convolves thesound clip with the customized HRTFs, and plays the convolved sound clipto user B.

FIG. 5 is a method to change or replace a sound clip convolved withHRTFs for a user intended to listen to the sound clip in accordance withan example embodiment.

Block 500 states receive, during an electronic communication between afirst user with a first electronic device and a second user with asecond electronic device, a sound clip convolved with customized HRTFsto the first user or generic HRTFs and intended to be played to thesecond user.

By way of example, the first user sends the second user a sound clipthat is convolved with HRTFs specific to the first user, such ascustomized HRTFs that were recorded in an anechoic chamber, customizedHRTFs that were computer-generated HRTFs based on a size and/or shape ofthe head and/or ear of the first user, or other HRTFs previouslyselected to work for the first user.

Alternatively, the sound is not convolved with customized HRTFs of thefirst user but with generic HRTFs.

The electronic device of the first user does not have to actuallytransmit the sound clip to the electronic device of the second user. Thefirst user can send an identification of the sound clip as discussedherein. For example, the sound clip is not transmitted but is stored ina database or server, and the first user sends a request to play thesound clip to the second user. For instance, this request includes anetwork location where the sound clip is located. For instance, thesound clip is located at or retrievable from a website.

Block 510 states change or replace the sound clip convolved with theHRTFs from the first user with a sound clip convolved with customizedHRTFs of the second user.

Sound convolved with HRTFs from the first user may not accuratelyexternally localize to the second user regardless of whether these HRTFsare customized to the first user or generic. Sound convolve withcustomized or individualized HRTFs for the second user will moreaccurately externally localize as binaural sound to the second user.These customized or individualized HRTFs can be obtained from actualmeasurements of impulse responses of the second user or modeled based onone or more physical attributes of the second user (e.g., based on oneor more of head shape, head size, ear shape, ear size, etc.).

The sound clip convolved with the HRTFs from the first user can bechanged or replaced in different ways. Changing or replacing this soundclip includes changing, altering, or editing the sound clip of the firstuser, exchanging the sound clip of the first user with another soundclip, de-convolving the sound clip of the first user then convolving thesound clip, transforming the sound clip of the first user into stereo ormono sound and then convolving the sound clip into binaural sound,obtaining the sound clip in a different format (e.g., stereo or mono)and convolving the sound clip, or taking and action that provides soundsin the sound clip of the first user to the second user so the soundsaccurately externally localize to the second user.

Consider an example in which the first user sends the second user asound clip with a prerecorded voice of a woman saying “hello.” Thissound clip is convolved with generic HRTFs. The second user, however,prefers to hear sound clips convolved with customized HRTFs of thesecond user since these sound clips more accurately externally localizeas binaural sound. The electronic device of the second user (or aserver) changes this sound clip into stereo or mono sound (or retrievesan un-convolved version of the sound clip) and then convolves the soundclip with the customized HRTFs of the second user. When the sound clipplays, the second user hears the prerecorded voice of the woman saying“hello” as binaural sound that externally localizes to the second user.

Consider an example in which the first user speaks “good morning” intoher HPED. The HPED records the sound with microphones, convolves thesound with HRTFs, and transmits this sound clip to the second user. TheHPED does not have customized or individualize HRTFs for the second userand hence convolves the sound with default HRTFs. The electronic deviceof the second user, however, stores or has access to customized orindividualized HRTFs for the second user. Upon receiving the sound clipfrom the first HPED, the second electronic device changes orre-convolves the sound clip with the customized or individualized HRTFsof the second user and then plays this sound clip.

Consider an example in which the first and second users message eachother with a mobile messaging application that provides text message,voice calls, voice messages, and exchange of sound clips in binauralsound. Both users execute the same mobile messaging application thatincludes hundreds of prerecorded sound clips in binaural sound. Duringthis electronic communication, the second user asks the first user if helikes going to the beach. The first user loves to go to the beach.Instead of typing back a response of “I love going” the first userselects an icon that when selected plays a sound clip saying “I love it”to the listener (here, the second user). Both the first and second userhave this icon and corresponding sound clip since they both use the samemobile messaging application. The sound clips played and stored to thefirst user are convolved with customized or individualized HRTFs for thefirst user. By contrast, the sound clips played and stored to the seconduser are convolved with customized or individualized HRTFs for thesecond user. When the first user selects the icon to play “I love it” tothe second user, the electronic device does not play the sound clipconvolved with the HRTFs of the first user even though the first user ismaking the selection. Instead, the electronic device selects the soundclip convolved with the HRTFs of the second user. In this way, the soundclip selected by the first user is replaced with the sound clip thatactually plays to the second user.

Consider an example in which the first user sends or requests playing ofa movie clip or a computer-generated voice greeting that is alreadyconvolved into binaural sound with HRTFs not customized orindividualized to the second user. Instead of playing this version ofthe sound clip, the electronic device of the second user obtains thesame movie clip or voice greeting but this version is not convolved withHRTFs (e.g., a copy or version in stereo or mono). The second electronicdevice convolves the movie clip or voice greeting with HRTFs known towork for the second user and then plays the sound clip to the seconduser.

Block 520 states play the processed or convolved sound clip to thesecond user with speakers so the sound externally localizes as binauralsound away from the head of the second user.

The sound clip plays to the user as binaural sound. The entire soundclip plays as binaural sound, or portions of the sound clip play asbinaural sound. For example, the sound clip is mixed with stereo, mono,or binaural sounds.

Additionally, sounds in the sound clip can be processed to pass throughthe head of the user (e.g., a sound source that originates on a leftside of the head of the user, passes through the head of the user, andexits through a right side of the head of the user).

Consider an example in which a first user purchases or downloads a soundclip in binaural sound that was convolved with generic HRTFs (e.g.,HRTFs generated from a computer-model or retrieved from a publicdatabase that stores and provides free HRTFs to many users). The firstuser does not have customized HRTFs (e.g., ones based on one or more ofhead size, head shape, ear size, and ear shape of the first user). Asecond user has pairs or sets of customized HRTFs that are based on asize and/or shape of her head and ears. During an electroniccommunication between the first and second users, the first usertransmits the sound clip to the second user. The sound clip is alreadyconvolved with HRTFs and hence could play as binaural sound to thesecond user. As noted though, the sound clip may not accuratelyexternally localize to the second user since the sound clip wasconvolved with generic HRTFs. As such, an electronic device (such as theelectronic device of the second user or a server in communication withthe electronic device of the second user) replaces or changes the soundclip with a sound clip convolved with the customized HRTFs of the seconduser. This process ensures that the sound clip correctly externallylocalizes as binaural sound to the intended SLP for the second user.

Changing or replacing the sound clip convolved with generic HRTFs with asound clip convolved with customized HRTFs can occur in a variety ofways. By way of example, one or more electronic devices actuallyconvolve the sound clip twice at different times. For instance, a DSP ina server processes or convolves the sound clip into binaural sound andprovides the convolved sound clip to the first user. Later, during theelectronic communication between the first and second users, another DSP(e.g., located in the electronic device of the second user or a serverin communication with the electronic device of the second user)convolves the sound clip with the customized HRTFs of the second user.

The first user can transmit or provide the sound clip to the second userin a variety of different ways. By way of example, this transmissionincludes transmitting the sound clip from a stored location in theelectronic device of the first user to the electronic device of thesecond user, transmitting the sound clip from a stored location in aserver or database to the electronic device of the second user,streaming the sound clip to the electronic device of the second user,providing a link to the electronic device of the second user,transmitting an identification of the sound clip to the electronicdevice of the second user, or providing the sound clip to the seconduser in another way.

Transmission of the sound clip can include both the sound clip and anidentification of the sound clip. Consider the example in which thefirst user transmits or provides the sound clip to the second userduring the electronic communication. The first user is unaware whetherthe second user already has the sound clip. As such, the first usertransmits both the sound clip and an identification of the sound clip tothe second user. If the second user does not already have the soundclip, then the electronic device of the second user plays the sound clipreceived from the first user. If the second user does have the soundclip, then the identification provides identifying information to enablethe electronic device of the second user to retrieve and play a versionof the sound clip already stored on the electronic device of the seconduser or already convolved with customized HRTFs of the second user. Forexample, the sound clip received from the first user is ignored,discarded, not played, or not downloaded. Instead, the sound clipmatching the identification is retrieved and played. These two soundclips are identical in their content. The only difference is that thesound clip sent by the first user was convolved with generic HRTFs, andthe sound clip played to the second user was convolved with customizedHRTFs to the second user.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an electronic device 600 with a display 610 inwhich two users (Glen and Philip) engage in an electronic communication.The two users exchange text messages and sound clips in binaural soundwith each other.

Display 610 displays a plurality of graphical representations 620 on alower portion of the display. Each of these graphical representationsrepresent a sound clip in binaural sound that the users can send and/orplay to each other.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the electronic communication starts when Glen sendsPhilip a text message saying “Hi. How are you?” In response to thismessage, Philip activates graphical representation 630 named “Hello.”For instance, Philip clicks on the graphical representation 630 orprovides a voice or body gesture command to send this sound clip. Thedisplay 610 shows activation and playing of this sound clip to Glen as“[Sending Hello sound clip]”.

The electronic device of Glen receives the sound clip or instructions orcommand to play this sound clip (e.g., receives an identification of thesound clip but not the sound clip). The sound clip executes and plays avoice saying “Hello” to Glen, and this voice externally localizes asbinaural sound. Glen is amazed to hear the voice localize near him as ifa real person where talking to him. He responds to Philip with a textmessage: “Amazing. The sound was outside my head.”

FIG. 7 is a lookup table 700 showing sound clips and uniqueidentifications of the sound clips in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

By way of example, table 700 includes two columns: Sound Clip Name andUnique Identification. The column Sound Clip Name provides a name oridentification of each sound clip in binaural sound. Example names ofsound clips shown include Hello, Wow, Thanks, Ringtone, and Movie Clip.The column Unique Identification provides a unique identification ofeach sound clip. This unique identification can be a unique number,number, code, identifier, string, etc.

When a user plays one of the sound clips, the sound corresponding to thesound clip externally localizes as binaural sound away from the head ofthe listener. For example, when a user plays the sound clip named Hello,a voice externally localizes and says “Hello.” The voice originates 1-2meters away from the user as if a person were standing near the user andsaying “Hello.” When the user plays the sound clip named Ringtone, aringing sound of a telephone externally localizes to the user. Forinstance, the user hears a phone ringing, and the source of this soundappears about one meter away from the head of the user in empty space.

FIG. 8 is a lookup table 800 showing sound clips and sound localizationinformation (SLI) being stored and associated with the sound clips inaccordance with an example embodiment.

By way of example, the table 800 includes four columns: Sound Clip Name,Format, Convolved, and HRTFs Available. The column Sound Clip Nameprovides a name or identification of each sound clip. Example names ofsound clips shown include Hello, Wow, Thanks, Ringtone, and Movie Clip.The column Format show formats of the sound clips, such as being instereo, mono, or binaural sound. The column Convolved shows whether orhow the sound clip is convolved. For example, the sound clips Hello andWow are not convolved. The sound clips Thanks and Ringtone are convolvedwith generic HRTFs. The sound clip Movie Clip is convolved withcustomized HRTFs. The column HRTFs Available provides whether customizedor generic HRTFs are available. For example, customized HRTFs areavailable for the sound clips Hello, Thanks, and Movie Clip. GenericHRTFs are available for the sound clips Wow and Ringtone.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate storing information of example embodiments in atables. This information, however, can be stored in other types offormats and locations, such as HPEDs, WEDs, servers, computers, harddrives, relational databases, graph databases, and other types of memoryand formats.

The information stored in tables 700 and 800 (and other informationdiscussed herein) enables example embodiments to quickly transmit,convolve, execute, and/or play sound clips between two or more usersduring an electronic communication.

Consider an example which a first user activates a graphicalrepresentation for the sound clip named Hello during an electroniccommunication with a second user. Activation of this graphicalrepresentation executes code that causes an electronic device to consulttable 700, retrieve Identification 1 corresponding to the sound clipnamed Hello, and transmit Identification 1 to the electronic device ofthe second user. Upon receipt of this identification, the secondelectronic device consults table 700, identifies the sound clip namedHello, and plays this sound clip as binaural sound to the second user.

Consider an example which an electronic device of a first user receivesa request to play the sound clip named Movie Clip. By way of example,this request occurs when the first user wants to hear and contents ofMovie Clip and clicks or activates this sound clip. As another example,a second user sends this sound clip or an identification of this soundclip to the first user. Upon receiving this request (such as aninstruction or command from the first user or received from anotherelectronic device via a wireless network), the electronic device of thefirst user consults table 800 and determines the following information.Per column named Format, the movie clip is or should be played inbinaural sound. Columns named Convolved and HRTFs Available indicatethat customized HRTFs for the first user are available and should beused to convolve the movie clip. Based on this information, theelectronic device of the first user convolves the movie clip withcustomized HRTFs and plays the movie clip to the first user.

FIG. 9 shows an example computer system 900 in accordance with anexample embodiment. The computer system 900 includes one or more of aserver 910, a database 920, an electronic device 930, and an electronicdevice 940 in communication over one or more networks 950. User 939 iswith or uses electronic device 930, and user 949 is with or useselectronic device 940. For illustration, a single server 910, a singledatabase 920, two electronic devices 930 and 940, and two users 939 and949 are shown, but example embodiments can include a plurality ofservers, databases, electronic devices, and users.

Server 910 includes a memory 912 and a processing unit 914. The memory921 includes sound clips 916 and identifications 918 of the sound clipsand other information discussed herein. The server 910 couples to orcommunicates with the database 920 that includes sound clips 922.

Electronic device 930 includes a processing unit 932 and memory 934 withsound clips 936 and identifications 938. User 939 interacts with or useselectronic device 930.

Electronic device 940 includes a processing unit 942 and memory 944 withsound clips 946 and identifications 948. User 949 interacts with or useselectronic device 930.

FIG. 10 shows an example of an electronic device 1000 in accordance withan example embodiment.

The electronic device 1000 includes a processor or processing unit 1010,memory 1020 with sound clips 1022 and identifications 1024, a display1030, one or more interfaces 1040, a wireless transmitter/receiver 1050,speakers 1060, and one or more microphones 1070.

Memory includes computer readable medium (CRM). Examples of an interfaceinclude, but are not limited to, a network interface, a graphical userinterface, a natural language user interface, a natural user interface,a phone control interface, a reality user interface, a kinetic userinterface, a touchless user interface, an augmented reality userinterface, and/or an interface that combines reality and virtuality.

The processor or processing unit includes a processor and/or a digitalsignal processor (DSP). For example, the processing unit includes one ormore of a central processing unit, CPU, digital signal processor (DSP),microprocessor, microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA),application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), etc. for controllingthe overall operation of memory (such as random access memory (RAM) fortemporary data storage, read only memory (ROM) for permanent datastorage, and firmware).

Consider an example embodiment in which the processing unit includesboth a processor and DSP that communicate with each other and memory andperform operations and tasks that implement one or more blocks of theflow diagram discussed herein. The memory, for example, storesapplications, data, programs, sound clips, algorithms (includingsoftware to implement or assist in implementing example embodiments) andother data.

For example, a processor or DSP executes a convolving process with theretrieved HRTFs or HRIRs (or other transfer functions or impulseresponses) to process sound clips so that the sound is adjusted, placed,or localized for a listener away from but proximate to the head of thelistener. For example, the DSP converts mono or stereo sound to binauralsound so this binaural sound externally localizes to the user. The DSPcan also receive binaural sound and move its localization point, add orremove impulse responses (such as RIRs), and perform other functions.

For example, an electronic device or software program convolves and/orprocesses the sound captured at the microphones of an electronic deviceand provides this convolved sound to the listener so the listener canlocalize the sound and hear it. The listener can experience a resultinglocalization externally (such as at a sound localization point (SLP)associated with near field HRTFs and far field HRTFs) or internally(such as monaural sound or stereo sound).

The memory stores HRTFs, HRIRs, BRTFs, BRIRs, RTFs, RIRs, or othertransfer functions and/or impulse responses for processing and/orconvolving sound. The memory can also store instructions for executingone or more example embodiments. Further, the memory can store soundclips, identifications, SLI, and other information and instructionsdiscussed herein.

The electronic device provides sound to the users through one or morespeakers. Alternatively or in addition to the speakers, the electronicdevice can communicate with headphones, earphones, earbuds, boneconduction devices, or another electronic device that provides sound tothe user.

The networks include one or more of a cellular network, a public switchtelephone network, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide areanetwork (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a personal areanetwork (PAN), home area network (HAM), and other public and/or privatenetworks. Additionally, the electronic devices need not communicate witheach other through a network. As one example, electronic devices coupletogether via one or more wires, such as a direct wired-connection. Asanother example, electronic devices communicate directly through awireless protocol, such as Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), orother wireless communication protocol.

By way of example, a computer and an electronic device include, but arenot limited to, handheld portable electronic devices (HPEDs), wearableelectronic glasses, electronic or smart watches, wearable electronicdevices (WEDs), smart earphones or hearables, electronic devices withcellular or mobile phone capabilities or subscriber identificationmodule (SIM) cards, desktop computers, servers, portable computers (suchas tablet and notebook computers), smartphones, head mounted displays(HMDs), optical head mounted displays (OHMDs), headphones, and otherelectronic devices with a processor or processing unit, a memory, a DSP.

Example embodiments are not limited to HRTFs but also include othersound transfer functions and sound impulse responses including, but notlimited to, head related impulse responses (HRIRs), room transferfunctions (RTFs), room impulse responses (RIRs), binaural room impulseresponses (BRIRs), binaural room transfer functions (BRTFs), headphonetransfer functions (HPTFs), etc.

Example embodiments can be executed with one or more integrated circuitsthat are specifically customized, designed, or configured to execute oneor more blocks discussed herein. For example, the electronic devicesinclude a specialized or custom processor or microprocessor orsemiconductor intellectual property (SIP) core or digital signalprocessor (DSP) with a hardware architecture optimized for convolvingsound and executing one or more example embodiments.

Consider an example in which the HPED (including headphones) includes acustomized or dedicated DSP that executes one or more blocks discussedherein (including processing and/or convolving sound into binaural soundfor sound clips). Such a DSP has a better power performance or powerefficiency compared to a general-purpose microprocessor and is moresuitable for a HPED or WED due to power consumption constraints of theHPED or WED. The DSP can also include a specialized hardwarearchitecture, such as a special or specialized memory architecture tosimultaneously fetch or pre-fetch multiple data and/or instructionsconcurrently to increase execution speed and sound processing efficiencyand to quickly correct errors while sound externally localizes to theuser. By way of example, streaming sound data (such as sound data in atelephone call or software game application) is processed and convolvedwith a specialized memory architecture (such as the Harvard architectureor the Modified von Neumann architecture). The DSP can also provide alower-cost solution compared to a general-purpose microprocessor thatexecutes digital signal processing and convolving algorithms. The DSPcan also provide functions as an application processor ormicrocontroller. The DSP can also fetch identification information orSLI from lookup tables or memory discussed herein.

Consider an example in which a customized DSP includes one or morespecial instruction sets for multiply-accumulate operations (MACoperations), such as convolving with transfer functions and/or impulseresponses (such as HRTFs, HRIRs, BRIRs, et al.), executing Fast FourierTransforms (FFTs), executing finite impulse response (FIR) filtering,and executing instructions to increase parallelism.

Consider another example in which sound clips, identifications, and/orHRTFs (or other transfer functions or impulse responses) are stored orcached in the DSP memory or local memory relatively close to the DSP toexpedite binaural sound processing.

As used herein, “headphones” or “earphones” include a left and rightover-ear ear cup, on-ear pad, or in-ear monitor (IEM) with one or morespeakers or drivers for a left and a right ear of a wearer. The left andright cup, pad, or IEM may be connected with a band, connector, wire, orhousing, or one or both cups, pads, or IEMs may operate wirelessly beingunconnected to the other. The drivers may rest on, in, or around theears of the wearer, or mounted near the ears without touching the ears.

As used herein, the word “proximate” means near. For example, binauralsound that externally localizes away from but proximate to a userlocalizes within three meters of the head of the user.

As used herein, a “user” or a “listener” is a person (i.e., a humanbeing). These terms can also be a software program (including an IPA orIUA), hardware (such as a processor or processing unit), an electronicdevice or a computer (such as a speaking robot or avatar shaped like ahuman with microphones in its ears or about six inches apart).

In some example embodiments, the methods illustrated herein and data andinstructions associated therewith, are stored in respective storagedevices that are implemented as computer-readable and/ormachine-readable storage media, physical or tangible media, and/ornon-transitory storage media. These storage media include differentforms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such as DRAM, orSRAM, Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memories (EPROMs),Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memories (EEPROMs) andflash memories; magnetic disks such as fixed and removable disks; othermagnetic media including tape; optical media such as Compact Disks (CDs)or Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs). Note that the instructions of thesoftware discussed above can be provided on computer-readable ormachine-readable storage medium, or alternatively, can be provided onmultiple computer-readable or machine-readable storage media distributedin a large system having possibly plural nodes. Such computer-readableor machine-readable medium or media is (are) considered to be part of anarticle (or article of manufacture). An article or article ofmanufacture can refer to a manufactured single component or multiplecomponents.

Blocks and/or methods discussed herein can be executed and/or made by auser, a user agent (including machine learning agents and intelligentuser agents), a software application, an electronic device, a computer,firmware, hardware, a process, a computer system, and/or an intelligentpersonal assistant. Furthermore, blocks and/or methods discussed hereincan be executed automatically with or without instruction from a user.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method that expedites electronic communicationbetween a first user with a first portable electronic device (PED) and asecond user with a second PED, the method comprising: transmitting, fromthe first PED to the second PED, an identifier that identifies abinaural sound clip stored in memory of the second PED; retrieving, withthe second PED, the binaural sound clip stored in the memory of thesecond PED and assigned to the identifier received from the first PED;and playing, with the second PED, the binaural sound clip in binauralsound such that sound from the binaural sound clip localizes in emptyspace to the second user.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:processing, with a digital signal processor (DSP) in the second PED andafter receiving the identifier but before the second user requests toplay the binaural sound clip, the binaural sound clip with ahead-related transfer function (HRTF) to expedite playing of thebinaural sound clip when a request to play the binaural sound clip isreceived at the second PED from the second user.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the binaural sound clip externally localizes at least onemeter away from a head of the second user at a virtual image of agraphical icon displayed to the second user with the second PED, and thesecond PED is one of augmented reality (AR) glasses or a head mounteddisplay (HMD).
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: receiving,at the first PED, selection of an emoji or an animoji that plays thebinaural sound clip at the second PED to the second user, wherein thefirst PED transmits the identifier to the second PED withouttransmitting the emoji or the animoji in response to receiving theselection of the emoji or the animoji.
 5. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: expediting the electronic communication between the firstuser and the second user by transmitting the identifier of the binauralsound clip from the first PED to the second PED without transmitting thebinaural sound clip from the first PED to the second PED.
 6. The methodof claim 1 further comprising: displaying, on the first PED and to thefirst user during the electronic communication, an icon that whenactivated by the second user plays the binaural sound to the second userduring the electronic communication without transmitting the binauralsound clip to the second PED during the electronic communication.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising: displaying, with the first PED, athree-dimensional (3D) emoji or 3D animoji; and receiving, at the firstPED, activation of the 3D emoji or the 3D animoji that initiatestransmission of the identifier from the first PED to the second PEDwithout transmitting the binaural sound clip from the first PED to thesecond PED.
 8. A method that plays sound clips in binaural sound betweena first user with a first portable electronic device (PED) and a seconduser with a second PED, the method comprising: receiving, at the firstPED from the first user, selection of a sound clip that will be playedin the binaural sound at the second PED of the second user;transmitting, from the first PED to the second PED, an identifier thatidentifies the sound clip without transmitting the sound clip from thefirst PED to the second PED; retrieving, based on the identifier, thesound clip; and playing, by the second PED, the sound clip in thebinaural sound such that sound from the sound clip externally localizesin empty space outside a head of the second user.
 9. The method of claim8 further comprising: displaying, on a display of the first PED, emojisthat when selected cause the first PED to transmit identifiers of thesound clips to the second PED to enable the second PED to play the soundclips in the binaural sound to the second user without transmitting thesound clips between the first and second PEDs.
 10. The method of claim 8further comprising: expediting playing of the sound clip by processingthe sound clip into the binaural sound with a processor at the secondPED before the second user requests to play the sound clip.
 11. Themethod of claim 8 further comprising: simultaneously displaying, on adisplay of the first PED, a plurality of graphical representations thatwhen activated by the first user cause the first PED to transmit to thesecond PED identifiers associated with the graphical representationsselected by the first user such that the second PED plays the binauralsound associated with the graphical representations selected by thefirst user without requiring the first PED to transmit the sounds clipsto the second PED.
 12. The method of claim 8 further comprising:displaying, with a display of the first PED, a graphical representationthat when selected by the first user causes the first PED to transmitthe identifier to the second PED without transmitting the sound clip ofthe graphical representation to the second PED.
 13. The method of claim8 further comprising: storing, in memory of the first PED, a list ofunique identifications that each identify one of the sound clips thatare stored in memory of the second PED and that can be played in thebinaural sound to the second user; and associating different icons witheach one of the sound clips and the unique identifications such thatselection by the first user of one of the icons causes the first PED totransmit one of the unique identifications to the second PED so thesecond PED can identify which of the sound clips the first user isrequesting to be played to the second user.
 14. The method of claim 8further comprising: storing, in memory of the second PED, a lookup tablethat includes a list of identifiers and a list of sound clips assignedto each one of the identifiers so that the second PED is able toidentify and play the sound clips in the binaural sound requested by thefirst user upon receiving one of the identifiers from the first PEDwithout receiving a sound clip from the first PED.
 15. A portableelectronic device (PED) of a first user that facilitates electroniccommunication with an electronic device of a second user, the PEDcomprising: a receiver that receives, from the electronic device of thesecond user, an identifier of a sound clip without receiving the soundclip from the electronic device of the second user; a memory that storesthe sound clip; and a processor that retrieves the sound clip from thememory based on the identifier received from the electronic device ofthe second user and that plays the sound clip to the first user inbinaural sound that externally localizes in empty space outside a headof the first user.
 16. The PED of claim 15 further comprising: a displaythat displays an emoji that plays the sound clip when activated; and atransmitter that transmits the identifier to the electronic device ofthe second user without transmitting the sound clip upon receiving arequest from the first user to play the sound clip at the electronicdevice of the second user.
 17. The PED of claim 15, wherein theprocessor expedites playing of the sound clip by processing the soundclip with head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) after receiving theidentifier from the electronic device of the second user but beforereceiving a request to play the sound clip from the first user.
 18. ThePED of claim 15, wherein the identifier is smaller in size than thesound clip, and processing time is reduced by enabling the first user toplay the sound clip in the binaural sound by wirelessly receiving theidentifier from the electronic device of the second user withoutwirelessly receiving the sound clip from the electronic device of thesecond user.
 19. The PED of claim 15, wherein processing time of theprocessor is reduced since the sound clip is already stored in thememory before the PED receives a request from the first user to have thePED play the sound clip in the binaural sound to the first user, and thefirst and the second users do not have to wait for the sound clip to betransmitted over a wireless network and downloaded to the PED.
 20. ThePED of claim 15, wherein the PED includes electronic glasses and headmounted displays (HMDs), and the memory stores sound clips and a list ofidentifiers that identify the sound clips.